The metabolic benefits of a genistein-rich diet in obese people

Researchers found that consuming a diet rich in the isoflavone compound genistein can benefit people with obesity and diabetes. The study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, found that the compound can improve thermogenesis and metabolism, as well as control corticosterone levels.

Obesity has been linked to reductions in thermogenesis.

The researchers created a model composed of five-week old ob/ob mice. These animals were fed either a genistein-rich (600 mg/kg) or genistein-free diet for four weeks.

The authors noted no change in the mice’s body weight, but they observed those fed with genistein-rich food to have had a marked increase in their food consumption during the third and fourth weeks. Moreover, the animals’ body temperature and plasma levels of triiodothyronine (T3) increased, suggesting increased thermogenesis.